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In the first quarter of 2016 alone there have been 4,663 cases of knife crime where the offender has received a caution or custodial sentence – amounting to 539 more violent incidents than the first quarter of 2015.

The Government classifies possession offences as any incident involving an article with a blade or point, having an offensive weapon "without lawful authority or reasonable excuse" or threatening with a knife or offensive weapon in a public place or school premises.

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It is estimated that there will be 18,019 knife-related offences in 2016 alone

Knife crime is a scourge of our communities and this latest data shows that possession is rocketing

Tim Farron

The surge in knife crime has sparked calls for a national knife amnesty in a bid to rid Britain’s streets of the lethal weapons.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: “Knife crime is a scourge of our communities and this latest data shows that possession is rocketing. And that is deeply concerning.

“Flexibility in sentencing is important but the simple fact is we do not want people roaming our streets with knives.

“It is a danger to our communities and we can and must do more.

“I want a national knife amnesty to get these weapons off our streets.”

Britain’s already overcrowded prisons are being pumped full of knife wielding criminals, according to the figures, with 4,845 offenders handed custodial sentences in 2015.

But Government estimates anticipate 5,693 more people will be imprisoned for knife crimes in 2016 - a huge increase of 17.5 per cent.

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The Government predicts a 17.5 per cent increase in prison sentences for knife crime in 2016

Mark Castle, chief executive at independent charity Victim Support, said: "As well as this rise in knife-possession offences, the recent rise in the number of knife crimes recorded by the police is a real cause for concern.

"Knife crime wrecks lives - often, the lives of young people and their families. There is an urgent need for agencies and educators to work together to really bring home the dangers of carrying weapons."

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Tim Farron has called for a knife amnesty to rid Britain's streets of deadly weapons

Justice Minister Dominic Raab added: "These figures show more people getting custodial sentences for carrying a knife, and for longer.

“Our message is clear: if you carry a knife, you should expect to go to prison."